What to know about Period Cramps or Menstrual Cramps?

What to know about Period Cramps or Menstrual Cramps?

Menstrual cramps or period cramps are painful conditions that an individual undergoes during their monthly menstrual cycle. These cramps sometimes begin at the start or end of the period. This pain is often due to conditions such as primary dysmenorrhea or endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and pelvic inflammatory disease.

Menstrual cramps can be most closely defined as a continuous, thumping pain in the lower abdomen, just above the pelvic area. It is also accompanied by a number of other discomforts or symptoms like: 

  • Lower back pain
  • Thighs pain
  • Nauseaousness
  • Vomiting 
  • Dizziness
  • Loose stools
  • Constipation/Bloating
  • Headaches
  • Menstrual-related migraines

Well, in a nutshell, period cramps are not a very comfortable time for people who undergo this phenomenon every month. To make this time of the month comfortable, RePad offers an array of period pads, menstrual cups and panty liners that are safe, affordable and antimicrobial. Our reusable cotton pads are highly recommended and most suitable for heavy and light period days. 

What causes period cramps?

There are multiple reasons why period cramps occur in women. Firstly, due to the muscle contractions that take place during menstruation in women. Secondly, a hormone-like substance called prostaglandins triggers these uterine muscle contractions. The levels of prostaglandins determine the severity of your menstrual cramps. The higher the levels, the more painful your menstrual cycles are. If the muscles in your uterus contract very strongly, there can be pressure around the blood vessels. As a result, the oxygen supply around the uterus can be cut off briefly. Due to the lack of oxygen, there is immense pain and period cramping. 

Period cramps can also result from conditions like endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease. A report by the World Health Organisation states, “It is a chronic disease associated with severe, life-impacting pain during periods.”

Here is a brief look into the diverse factors which may lead to menstrual cramps include: 

  • As mentioned, the condition called Endometriosis can affect the tissue lining in the uterus, which means the lining grows outside it. 
  • There can be extreme period cramping if you have fibroids in your uterus
  • Adenomyosis is another condition when the period lining grows onto a nearby muscle instead of the inner portion. 
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) which is, in fact, caused by chlamydia, gonorrhoea or mycoplasma genitalium. This starts to affect the uterus and the other reproductive organs and, basically, causes an infection. 
  • Cervical stenosis is a condition when there is a narrowing of the lower uterus caused by scarring. The condition can also occur due to the lack of estrogen after menopause. 

Who Gets Menstrual Cramps?

Very often, menstrual cramps happen to individuals who are under the age of 30. It is also common in women who started their period at the age of 11 or even before. Further, women who bleed heavily or get heavy periods, a condition called menorrhagia, also experience menstrual cramping. It has also been noticed by several researchers that women with a family history of menstrual cramps can also experience the same. Women who smoke or drink heavily can have painful periods as well. 

Is Medical Attention Needed?

Some women may normally feel period pain. However, at times, the period pain may also be a sign of an underlying condition. Below are the factors you should go and seek medical attention: 

  • The period pain affects your quality of life
  • Self-care techniques do not help
  • The period cramping got worse from what it used to be
  • You have crossed the age of 25 
  • Period pain comes with a high fever
  • Menstrual cramps without flow

How To Manage Your Menstrual Cramp

Women prefer multiple ways of managing their cramps. While some prefer to pop a pill, others, specifically in India, tend to resort to home remedies to manage their menstrual health. Certain types of medications are available locally and sometimes prescribed to deal with extreme menstrual pain and manage other symptoms. 

There are tons of natural remedies which are available to provide the much-needed relief: 

  • Begin by applying a heat pad to your lower abdomen and the surrounding area
  • Relax your body
  • Be mindful of what you consume during this time
  • Make sure you exercise regularly, especially before the onset of your period
  • Go jogging and do your yoga asanas
  • Take a warm bath
  • Use essential oils to soothe your mind and body
  • Avoid intake of alcohol
  • Try dietary supplements

RePad has emerged as one of India’s best homegrown brands, focusing extensively on women’s health. We have incorporated multiple period products like reusable cotton pads and menstrual cups, ensuring women have a safe and happy menstrual cycle. Well, period days can be highly inconvenient, but what can make it better is using a reliable and sustainable feminine personal hygiene brand, which is a healthy alternative to plastic sanitary pads. 

Our Blog